This article is part of our IDP Analysis series.
RISING
Malcolm Smith, OLB, OAK
Smith's first season in Oakland was quite a successful one from an IDP standpoint, and there's reason to believe he'll be another strong IDP option in 2016. The Raiders demonstrated a significant commitment to Smith by shipping out former third-round pick Sio Moore earlier this season, granting Smith access to a three-down role as a defensive building block. Following an 11-tackle game against the Chargers last week, Smith is up to 117 tackles (12 for a loss), four sacks, and one interception in 15 games.
Tom Johnson, DT, MIN
Linval Joseph is likely out this week, which should result in Johnson playing as high as 90 percent of the defensive snaps against the Packers. Johnson has quietly been a disruptive player on the interior for Minnesota, totaling 11.5 sacks in his last 31 games, playing off the bench in 22 of those games. The Green Bay offensive line is a mess, too.
Fletcher Cox, (3-4) DE, PHI
Cox had a huge game in last week's loss to Washington, tallying his third straight dominant game by posting seven tackles (five solo, two for a loss) and two sacks. Still just 25 years old, Cox is one of the league's elite defensive linemen with 63 tackles (11 for a loss), 9.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. His status as a primarily interior linemen makes him more valuable in real football than as an IDP, but he still is firmly in DL2 territory.
RISING
Malcolm Smith, OLB, OAK
Smith's first season in Oakland was quite a successful one from an IDP standpoint, and there's reason to believe he'll be another strong IDP option in 2016. The Raiders demonstrated a significant commitment to Smith by shipping out former third-round pick Sio Moore earlier this season, granting Smith access to a three-down role as a defensive building block. Following an 11-tackle game against the Chargers last week, Smith is up to 117 tackles (12 for a loss), four sacks, and one interception in 15 games.
Tom Johnson, DT, MIN
Linval Joseph is likely out this week, which should result in Johnson playing as high as 90 percent of the defensive snaps against the Packers. Johnson has quietly been a disruptive player on the interior for Minnesota, totaling 11.5 sacks in his last 31 games, playing off the bench in 22 of those games. The Green Bay offensive line is a mess, too.
Fletcher Cox, (3-4) DE, PHI
Cox had a huge game in last week's loss to Washington, tallying his third straight dominant game by posting seven tackles (five solo, two for a loss) and two sacks. Still just 25 years old, Cox is one of the league's elite defensive linemen with 63 tackles (11 for a loss), 9.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. His status as a primarily interior linemen makes him more valuable in real football than as an IDP, but he still is firmly in DL2 territory.
Byron Jones, S, DAL
His rookie year numbers look modest with just 61 tackles and no interceptions, but there's reason to like his chances of breaking out in 2016. The first-round pick out of Connecticut has been effective in real football terms, and his production as an IDP has been deflated by Dallas playing him at cornerback much of the time. Injuries at cornerback forced that situation, so a healthier Dallas corner rotation in 2016 should allow Jones to play more exclusively at safety, which affords more playmaking opportunities than corner.
FALLING
Barry Church, S, DAL
Church's entry here is only meant to imply a one-week effect. Church's season is over due to a broken arm he suffered last week, which should push Danny McCray into a starting role for the season finale. Church's trajectory beyond this week still looks quite promising once he's back to full health – he might even be the top preseason-ranked defensive back IDP in 2016 after posting 117 tackles in 15 games.
Telvin Smith, OLB, JAC
Smith's 2015 season is over due to a shoulder injury that cost him the last two games of the year. Still, his spot on the 'falling' list isn't meant to imply anything on the long term. It was a very successful season up to that point, totaling 127 tackles (98 solo, 13 for a loss), 2.5 sacks, one interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one touchdown in 14 games. The shoulder issue shouldn't need any surgery in the offseason, either, so Smith should be considered a high-end LB1 for 2016.
Bennie Logan, (3-4) NT, PHI
Logan is out for Sunday's game against the Giants due to a calf injury that landed him on IR on Saturday. His absence ought to push Beau Allen into the lead nose tackle role for the week, though Allen looks like no more than a pure run-stopping specialist and shouldn't be expected to make much of an IDP impact with just 22 tackles and no sacks in 302 snaps this year.
